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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Last Chance Victories

I wish I had written that phrase, but alas I can't take credit for someone else's idea. It was the title of an article written by Pilar Gerasimo in the Nov/Dec 2003 issue of Experience Life magazine. That little phrase was enough to get me thinking before I even stared reading the article. I looked back at the post where I listed my New Year's Resolutions and realized, while I had completed just about all of them (including recently choking through the very dry Four Day Win book) I haven't made my homemade vegetable stock yet. Now is the perfect time to get going on that, being soup season and all!

I'm not saying that I'm not proud of all I accomplished this year, but just because the year is winding down, it doesn't mean I'm going to fall into the holiday trap and wait until next year. As the article says, "But why wait until next year? You've still got at least a few weeks to put some of what you've learned to good use. More importantly, you've got the opportunity to get some important stuff done – and set yourself up for greater success in 2004" Sure, the article is dated but the information is as timely now as it was then.

If you haven't started putting your health and fitness first, now is as good as January 2, 2010 to get started on that. Now is a great time to figure out what your last chance victories are going to be. In addition to getting that homemade vegetable stock simmering, I am going to...

Enjoy the pleasures of the season mindfully. Holiday meals and the fruits of my holiday baking labor will be savored as planned indulgences while keeping portions controlled. I'm going to have my (serving size of) cookies and eat them, too!

Tweak comfort food that I love this time of year in the nutritious and delicious style of cooking to which I've become accustomed. This means minimizing fat and sodium content and upping the veggie factor wherever possible.

Keep to my fitness routine of 4-5 days of cardio with 2-3 days of strength training each week.

Have fun spending time with my husband and friends!

What are your last chance victories going to be? I know you can accomplish them!

Mmm, homemade vegetable stock! Sounds super-delicious! Does it take a long time to make? I cannot even start thinking about 2010. Seriously, where did the year go? But I guess after Halloween I will have to face the sad truth that 2009 is almost over. I tend to bake a lot too during the holiday season. But I give most of my baked goods away to other people (co-workers, friends, family) and that way there is not a lot of stuff in the house. I don’t really tweak food recipes that much, although sometimes I bake with applesauce. I know keeping up your fitness routine won’t be difficult! Exercise is really addictive, don’t you think? Once you get in the groove/habit it is easy to keep going. Enjoy your holidays and cherish that time with your husband and friends!